COIMBATORE: TVK leader KA Sengottaiyan on Friday (April 1) said growing public support for Vijay signals a major political shift in Tamil Nadu.

Addressing the media, after launching his first round of campaign in Vellalapalayam near Gobichettipalayam in Erode, Sengottaiyan said people have wholeheartedly accepted Vijay as their leader.

“Even without inducements, people are assembling in large numbers, which is evidence of a changing political climate. This kind of reception is unmatched by any leader in India,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the late chief minister MG Ramachandran, the TVK leader said the mass appeal Vijay enjoys is reminiscent of the iconic leader's popularity.

Claiming that Vijay had defied security concerns to engage directly with the public, the NTK leader said that even when police warned that adequate security could not be ensured if he stepped out of his vehicle, the actor-politician chose to meet people, moved by their enthusiasm.

However, he expressed dissatisfaction over security arrangements.

Exuding confidence that TVK would win more than 200 assembly constituencies, Sengottaiyan said that people will deliver a decisive verdict and elevate Vijay as the Chief Minister.

Taking a swipe at AIADMK, Sengottaiyan questioned the denial of a chance for former speaker P Dhanapal to contest in the upcoming assembly polls.

“A loyal leader who stood by the party during the crisis has now been sidelined. Is money the only criterion for securing a place to contest in the party ?” he asked.